Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) announces its national search for an experienced and visionary leader to serve as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

The Division of Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville strives to engage SIUE students in services and programs that make lifelong learning possible. Our efforts are focused on providing a student experience in which every student feels supported by the campus environment, connected to the institution, and prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to support students as they learn from and navigate life’s opportunities and challenges.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs is an executive strategic partner with a focus on enhancing the student experience, increasing student success, and supporting overall campus engagement. The AVC directs complex critical programs and at times serves as the decision-maker in the absence of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The AVC frequently represents the entire Student Affairs organization at campus and/or community events and activities, and while serving on internal and external committees. This high-impact role is focused on fostering student success, enhancing co-curricular learning, and advancing institutional priorities through innovative and inclusive practices and in meaningful collaboration with campus partners.

The Role of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs has significant responsibility for and is expected to lead organization-wide initiatives, decisions, and policy matters involving students and student engagement initiatives throughout the organization and University. Programs under the leadership of the AVC affect a number of major aspects of academic and non-academic life for students at the University. The AVC must possess a passion for, and commitment to equity and is responsible for high-risk departments with sensitive issues and concerns pertaining to recruitment, retention, and student success. This executive-level position seeks to accomplish organization, division, and department goals, thereby creating and promoting a culture of student engagement and success, while continuously representing the Student Affairs organization.

The AVC will join a university community that is committed to making social mobility possible for all individuals and entire families through its high-quality educational experiences and commitment to inclusive excellence, as outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan. This includes the opportunity to help shape the future of SIUE by transforming the extra-curricular and co-curricular experience for students and making SIUE a destination of choice for students who seek something greater. The AVC will have significant responsibility for contributing to the institutional goals of reaching an enrollment of 14,500 while ensuring strategic growth that reflects SIUE’s commitment to inclusive excellence, our values and goals; reaching 90% first- to second-year retention, a four-year graduation rate of 45% and a six-year graduation rate of 75%, while ensuring that equity gaps are closed.

Several key priorities exist for this position. The AVC will provide innovative and forward-thinking vision that leverages institutional strengths, best practices, and current trends, in partnership with academic affairs, to reimagine a co-curricular experience that prioritizes student engagement, belonging, and learning. Candidates must have demonstrated success in contributing to the creation of vibrant campus communities that foster belonging, engagement, and success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide executive level leadership of the following units: Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub (Sorority & Fraternity Life, Student Organizations, Student Leadership/Development, Community Engagement, Campus Activities Board, Student Government, Campus Programming, History and Heritage Month Programming), New Student and Family Programs, Career Development Center, Campus Recreation, Morris University Center, Dining Services, Textbook Service, Student Publications, and Cougar Store.
• Develop, manage, and support an effective, highly professional, and diverse team dedicated to student engagement, belonging, and success, and promote professional development to ensure a well-trained and motivated staff.
• Collaborate closely with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other members of the Student Affairs senior staff to share information, engage in issue-spotting, and creatively solve problems to benefit the university community.
• Remain informed about emerging issues and trends affecting the student experience and the field of student affairs and educate the university and campus partners accordingly.
• Proactively identify and implement innovative solutions to address areas of improvement and foster growth within the division.
• Collaborate with other University divisions to implement student development goals, initiatives, standards, policies, and procedures, and to achieve divisional and institutional goals.
• Actively engage in divisional planning, resource allocation and policy formulation, ensuring compliance with university and SIU System policies, and state and federal laws.

Operational and Financial Oversight

• Strategically steward and enhance financial resources.
• Oversee operational excellence across units, ensuring resource optimization and compliance with institutional regulations.
• Administer and allocate unit budgets in alignment with university and divisional priorities and policies.

Supervision and Staff Development

• Lead and manage a team of professional staff, including six direct reports, 175 full and part-time staff and 550 undergraduate student staff and leaders, fostering a culture of professional growth, accountability, and innovation.
• Make critical hiring decisions, provide coaching and mentoring, and oversee performance management processes to ensure team excellence.

Student Engagement and Success

• Oversee a comprehensive, contemporary co-curriculum that supports student learning from first-year to career.
• Coordinate the development and delivery of high-impact, large-scale cultural and social programs for the student body.
• Provide leadership training and advisory support to campus colleagues, committees, and initiatives, fostering a vibrant campus life.
• Collaborate with institutional stakeholders to develop innovative support systems that ensure student success and retention.

Collaboration and Advocacy

• Work closely with executive-level leaders and others across the University to develop and implement strategic, entrepreneurial, and data-driven strategies driven by institutional priorities. Provide leadership in fulfilling the University's strategic goals, including generating excitement and motivating University constituents to collaborate and unite in achieving those goals.
• Maintain open communication channels with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to align on institutional goals and priorities.
• Serve as an advocate for student needs and well-being, influencing policies and practices that enhance the overall student experience.

Executive Leadership

• Lead the Student Affairs Co-curricular Planners Council and the Student Affairs Recognition Team and ensure execution of activities and initiatives.
• Serve as a member of assigned campus committees that foster belonging and engagement.
• Perform other related duties as needed, with the flexibility to adapt to evolving institutional priorities. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
• This role provides a unique opportunity for a transformational leader to advance the mission of the university by enhancing the student experience, fostering innovation, and shaping a supportive and inclusive campus environment.

For comprehensive candidate profile, please visit: Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

About SIUE

A metropolitan university, SIUE serves a diverse student body of more than 12,000. The Edwardsville campus encompasses 2,660 acres of woods and rolling hills in the scenic beauty of southwestern Illinois. ... [abbreviated for brevity, full details in original]

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville strives to engage SIUE students in services and programs that make lifelong learning possible. ... In 2025, the Division of Student Affairs launched 4WARD Focus, a student success framework with four identified priorities: Student Basic Needs, Student Health and Well-being, Career-readiness Competency, Fostering a Vibrant Campus Life.

Review of candidates will begin December 1st

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Professional Qualifications

• Educational Background: Master’s degree from an accredited institution is required; an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree is valued.
• Professional Experience: 7 years of relevant and progressive leadership experience in higher education. 10 or more years of experience is valued. ...
• Student Development and Co-Curricular Learning Expertise: extensive experience...
• Facilities and Auxiliary Operations Expertise: experience in overseeing...
• Innovative thinking: evidence of entrepreneurial thinking...
• Leadership aptitude: ability to shape a culture...
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion: demonstrated track record...
• Collaborative Approach: demonstrated ability...

PLEASE NOTE: To be reviewed for this position, submitted application materials must include the following as separate uploaded attachments: Resume/CV, Letter of Interest, Three Professional References.

FLSA: Exempt

Application Materials and Information: ... Applications must be submitted by the specified closing date no later than 11:59 p.m. CST.